Portable Magnetic Shooting Stabilizing Systems and Gun Mounts

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses generally a firearm stabilizing mount system and method of use, the system comprising (1) at least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; (2) at least one magnet with an upper and lower surface; (3) at least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and (4) a gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends. The upper surface of the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base. The bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a point in the upper surface of the mountable base. The gun mount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/917,096 filed Dec. 17, 2013. The entire contents of the aboveapplication are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully setforth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of firearms and sportsmanaccessories. More specifically, the present invention relates tostabilizing support systems and firearm mounts.

BACKGROUND

Gun racks, mounts, storage mounts, mounting devices, shooting supports,shooting rests, gun bolts and other such devices are commonly used tosafely, stably, and securely store, mount, and provide for a stableshooting surface. An inherent tradeoff between stability and recoilabsorption is portability and ease of use. The current devices disclosedin the numerous embodiments resolve this trade off through the novel useof magnets to bind to metal surfaces in the immediate and surroundingenvironment or to the mounted firearm or firearms.

PRIOR ART

While there have been attempts in the prior art to provide a magneticbase for a gun rack, there are inherent limitations as they only providesupport for the gun rather than stabilization during operation of thefirearm. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,080 to Shepherd et. al.discloses a mount or rest for a firearm with magnetic base that fitsinto a separate support stand that may be placed on a flat surface. Thedevice itself is not magnetically attached to the surface, such as thecar hood depicted in the drawings. Further, the invention does notaccommodate a variety of support structure configurations but is limitedto a mono pod configuration.

Further, while U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,568 to Brownlee et. al. discloses acollapsible firearm mount that does accommodate a variety of supportstructures with a small magnet at the end of a leg, the magnet size andlocation does not provide a secure attachment to a metal surface, nordoes it provide stability during firearm operation. The magnets aresized and shaped such that they merely keep the support legs togetherwhen the mount is collapsed into a storage position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to address several challengesin previous attempts to provide a portable and yet stable firearm mount.

The present invention discloses generally a firearm stabilizing mountsystem comprising (1) at least one mountable base with an upper andlower surface; (2) at least one magnet with an upper and lower surface;(3) at least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends;and (4) a gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends. The upper surfaceof the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountablebase. The bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to apoint in the upper surface of the mountable base. The gun mount pivotsor swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structureand accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end suchthat the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount. The inventionfurther comprises a plurality of fastening devices wherein the fasteningdevices secure the firearm to the gun mount. The fastening devices maybe quick release devices or permanent mounting devices.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for stabilizinga mounted firearm is disclosed, the method comprising (1) attaching thefirearm stabilizing mount system above to a metal surface; (2) changingthe magnetic field strength of the magnets on the firearm stabilizingmount system to accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption ofthe firearm placed in the gun mount and (3) changing the number ofsupport structures on the firearm stabilizing mount system toaccommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearmplaced in the gun mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A is front perspective view of a mono-pod embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a bipod embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of a tripod embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is top perspective view of the tripod embodiment of thepresent invention as used on the top of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are portable magnetic monopods, bipods, tripods, quadpods (orother configurations with a plurality of support structures) and or anysupport device using magnets that may quickly attach and detach to anyvehicle's magnetic surface or any magnetic surface to offer superior yetportable shooting stabilizing systems and support devices. Turning toFIG. 1A-1C, the firearm support structure of the present invention isshown wherein a gun mount 10 holds a firearm 101 in place above aplurality of support structures 20. The support structure 20 has top andbottom opposing ends may be a single rod like structure as shown in FIG.1A, or the support structures 20 may be a plurality of rod likestructures as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C that are held together by atleast one support bar 60. The support structures 20 converges verticallyto a point in at least one mountable base 30 that may also comprise amagnet 40 used to secure the firearm support system to a metal surface,such as a vehicle top as shown in FIG. 2. The upper surface of themagnet 40 substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base.The bottom surface of the magnet 40 may be constructed from anon-scratching material so that the magnet 40 does not scratch the paintsurface when placed directly on vehicles as shown in FIG. 2.

The gun mount 10 pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top endof the support structure 20 and accepts at least a portion of thefirearm 101 along its top end such that the firearm 101 rests or issecured within the gun mount 10. For example, the gun mount 40 may beequipped with quick release grips for picatinny/weaver rails such thatthe firearm 101 may be quickly released from the gun mount 40. However,the gun mount 40 may also provide for more permanent firearm 101attachment to the gun mount 40 via screws, nuts or bolts.

The firearm support system of the present invention may be used by anyfirearm user, however may primarily benefit law enforcement agencies,S.W.A.T. units, military and naval applications, hunters and enthusiastsalike. The novelty of the present invention lay in part in offering thestability of a bolted on gun mount, with the freedom of a temporarymount able to connect to any part of any vehicle or metal surface. Thisfeature thereby offers the mobility and portability to take it off in aninstant from the vehicle or metal surface or to detach the gun from thesystem with the quick release. This system saves time and lives.

Further embodiments include any magnet connected to a support systemconfiguration for support or resting of guns on vehicles or any metalsurface. The strength of the magnets 40 attached to the mountable rest30 may vary within a substantial range; however preferred embodimentsinclude using very strong magnets, in some cases those just recentlyavailable. The size and shape of the magnets may also vary. Preferredembodiments include flat bottomed circular magnets connected to asupport structure. In other embodiments the angle, shape, weight, andsurface characteristics may be altered to achieve different performancecharacteristics. For example the bottom surface of the magnet connect tothe metal surface may be flat, rounded, contain multiple sharp cornersand other design to achieve a desired connection and stability with aspecific metal surface. Any metal or magnetically responsive surface maybe used with the current invention, and use is not limited to vehicles.The system my also be attached to specialized metal support surfacessuch as straight or angled rails or bars designed to achieve certainperformance characteristics in shooting for example at a shooting range.

The strength and characteristics of the magnets will dictate the natureand degree of the recoil absorption. For example a lighter magnet orseries of magnets will allow the firearm support structure to move overa greater distance, thereby spreading the recoil absorption over alonger distance. Stronger magnets will in turn shorten the distance thefirearm moves and the distance the recoil is absorbed over. Additionallythe strength of the magnets will dictate the amount of force, andtherefore the size and caliber of the firearm, the magnetic supportstructure can absorb. For example, the magnetic field strength isincreased to spread recoil absorption over a shorter distance ordecreased to spread recoil absorption over a longer distance. Further,the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodate increased sizeof the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased size of thefirearm. Also, the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodateincreased caliber of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreasedcaliber of the firearm.

Two common measures of a magnet's strength are the pull force and thestrength of the magnetic field. Pull force is how much force needed topull on a magnet to move it away from something, such as a metal surfaceor another magnet. This force is often measured in pounds, though itcould also be expressed as Newtons, or even kilograms. The magneticfield strength is a measurement of the magnetic field's strength anddirection at a particular point near the magnet. It is expressed inGauss or Tesla (1 Tesla=10,000 Gauss).

The number of support structures needed may also vary based on the gunsize, caliber and desired recoil absorption distance. For example, thenumber of support structures is increased to spread recoil absorptionover a shorter distance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over alonger distance. Further, the number of support structures is increasedto accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodatedecreased size of the firearm. Also, the number of support structures isincreased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreasedto accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference has been made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used todescribe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends nolimitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should beconstrued to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to oneof ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown anddescribed herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are notintended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. Forthe sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and componentsof the individual operating components of the method) may not bedescribed in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectorsshown in the various figures presented are intended to representexemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplingsbetween the various elements. It should be noted that many alternativeor additional functional relationships, physical connections or logicalconnections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item orcomponent is essential to the practice of the invention unless theelement is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerousmodifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilledin this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm stabilizing mount system comprising: a.At least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; b. At leastone magnet with an upper and lower surface; c. At least one supportstructure with top and bottom opposing ends; and d. A gun mount with topand bottom opposing ends wherein the upper surface of the magnetsubstantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base; whereinthe bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a pointin the upper surface of the mountable base; and wherein the gun mountpivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the supportstructure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its topend such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount. 2.The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fasteningdevices wherein the fastening devices secure the firearm to the gunmount.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the fastening devices are quickrelease devices.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the fastening devicesare permanent mounting devices.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein themagnets are flat bottomed and circular in shape.
 6. The system of claim1 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is attached directly onto ametal or magnetically responsive surface.
 7. The system of claim 6wherein the metal or magnetically responsive surface is substantiallyflat.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the metal or magneticallyresponsive surface is a straight rail.
 9. The system of claim 6 whereinthe metal or magnetically responsive surface is an angled rail.
 10. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is comprisedof a material that does not scratch the metal surface.
 11. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is flat.
 12. The systemof claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is rounded.
 13. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet containsmultiple sharp corners.
 14. A method for stabilizing a mounted firearm,the method comprising: a. Attaching a firearm stabilizing mount systemto a metal surface, the firearm stabilizing mount system comprising: i.At least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; ii. Atleast one magnet with an upper and lower surface; iii. At least onesupport structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and iv. A gun mountwith top and bottom opposing ends wherein the upper surface of themagnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base;wherein the bottom end of the support structure converges vertically toa point in the upper surface of the mountable base; and wherein the gunmount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of thesupport structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm alongits top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gunmount. b. Changing the magnetic field strength of the magnets on thefirearm stabilizing mount system to accommodate the size, caliber andrecoil absorption of the firearm placed in the gun mount. c. Changingthe number of support structures on the firearm stabilizing mount systemto accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearmplaced in the gun mount.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the magneticfield strength is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorterdistance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longerdistance.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the number of supportstructures is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorterdistance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longerdistance.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the magnetic field strengthis increased to accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreasedto accommodate decreased size of the firearm.
 18. The method of claim 14wherein the number of support structures is increased to accommodateincreased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased sizeof the firearm.
 19. The method of claim 14 wherein the magnetic fieldstrength is increased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm ordecreased to accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.
 20. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the number of support structures is increasedto accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreased toaccommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.